Secret Indianapolis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Indianapolis: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF

Author: Ashley Petry

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2019-09-15

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 1681062402

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Where in Indianapolis can you find a disappearing painting, a towering “ice tree,” or a giant pink elephant holding a martini? What caused the Great Squirrel Invasion of 1822, and why did Hollywood celebrities once flock to an Indianapolis cottage called Tuckaway? Where can you find a hidden museum dedicated to antique fire extinguishers? And what, exactly, is a Recordface? You’ll find the answers to these questions, and many others, in this guide to Indy’s overlooked, offbeat, and unknown. Secret Indianapolis profiles the city’s best-kept restaurant secrets, strangest parks and museums, creepiest urban legends, and weirdest works of art. It also tells the stories of forgotten local heroes, and it reveals the secrets behind beloved Indy landmarks. You’ll discover the only place in the world where it’s still possible to order Choc-Ola, explore the most haunted house in Indiana, and hear about the very dirty prank Hoosiers once pulled on a former president. Written by lifelong Hoosier and local author Ashley Petry, Secret Indianapolis offers a new way to explore the Circle City—from the quirks of local history to bizarre activities you can try today.

Secret Connecticut: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Connecticut: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF

Author: Anastasia Mills Healy

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2021-03-15

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 1681063050

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Did you know that there’s a Connecticut hotel room with a real helicopter inside? Can you guess who inspired the character of Indiana Jones, who was president before George Washington, and who flew before the Wright Brothers? Find the state’s most interesting and offbeat stories in Secret Connecticut: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Are you interested in taking a safari or racing a chariot? Had you ever heard that Martin Luther King Jr. spent two summers in Connecticut? Included are more than eighty engaging stories that provide insight into one of America’s oldest states. Inside are tales of pirates, an underground prison, and a possessed doll. Aren’t you curious about the spectacular stained glass church that was unknowingly built in the shape of a fish by a famous architect? From the world’s smallest Native American reservation to professionally coiffed cows and a replica of Marie Antoinette’s palace, you’ll find intrigue around every corner of this small but surprising state. Author Anastasia Mills Healy brings to life the long history of intriguing people, places, and events that will fascinate even life long residents of Connecticut.

Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF

Author: Joseph S. Pete

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2022-05-10

Total Pages: 333

ISBN-13: 1681063662

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Where in the landlocked state of Indiana can you sunbathe on a beach in the shadow of hulking steel mills, surf by an oil refinery, or scuba-dive to see old shipwrecks? A blend of Indiana and neighboring Chicago, Northwest Indiana is a one-of-a-kind place filled with wonders, like Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes and a hike USA Today described as one of the country’s most scenic. And behind its unique “coastal” setting lie some equally intriguing hidden gems and untold stories. Secret Northwest Indiana: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure leads a whirlwind tour of the Calumet Region that extends from Chicago’s far South Side, through the south suburbs and Northwest Indiana, and into Southwest Michigan. Read about a submarine inventor who sailed under Lake Michigan and the free-spirited Diana of the Dunes, who inspired preservation efforts that led to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Explore hidden Nike missile silos, bygone ski jumps, secret spots to photograph the jets taking off for the Chicago Air and Water Show, and the infamous Marriage Mill, where celebrities flocked to get hitched. Prepare for singing porta-potties, tree graveyards, and other strangeness. Local author and journalist Joseph S. Pete gives you a look behind the curtain in a region you might think you already know well. With his stories and tips, you’ll find no shortage of new secret places to explore in Northwest Indiana.

100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die, Second Edition

100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die, Second Edition PDF

Author: Ashley Petry

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2019-03-11

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13: 1681061481

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Indianapolis is best known for auto racing, but this diverse Midwestern city offers surprises at every turn. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong local, this second edition of 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die points you toward some of Indy’s most popular destinations—and some of its best-kept secrets. Indulge at an Indy bakery beloved by Hollywood celebrities, or sample the city’s best pork tenderloin and sugar cream pie. Explore the world’s largest children’s museum, hear the Midwest’s best blues, or gaze at the stars through Indiana’s largest telescope. See the car that won the original Indianapolis 500, way back in 1911. This guide highlights Indy’s best food and drink, cultural attractions, and shopping districts, as well as options for live music, sporting events, and outdoor fun. Best of all, this second edition of 100 Things to Do in Indianapolis Before You Die is packed with insider tips to help you make the most of your vacation time (or your lifetime) in the Circle City.

The Blue Guide to Indiana

The Blue Guide to Indiana PDF

Author: Michael Martone

Publisher: University of Alabama Press

Published: 2001-08

Total Pages: 121

ISBN-13: 1573660957

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Let Martone guide you through every inch of the amazing state that is home to the Hoosier Infidelity Resort Area, the site of Wendell Willkie's Ascension into Heaven, and the Annual Eyeless Fish Fry. All your questions will be answered, including many you never thought to ask (like: "What's a good recipe for Pork Cake?")."--BOOK JACKET.

Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure PDF

Author: Ryan Roenfeld

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2021-05-15

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 1681063069

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How did Omaha get its nickname, “The Gateway to the West” and where can you gawk at the footsteps of the first human to walk in space? Just scratch the surface of a city best known for Warren Buffett, college baseball, and a great zoo and find far more than meets the eye. And Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is just the book you’ll need to uncover all the stories of Nebraska’s lone metropolis. Omaha rises up out of the low broken bluffs along the west bank of the Missouri River and sprawls west across what was once the prairie grasslands of the Great Plains. The buffalo wallows have been replaced by a more urban mix of grit and gentrification, with tree-lined avenues, boulevards, and varied communities that hold on to their heritage for generations. There’s a giant fork in Little Italy and stories told in stone around what was the world’s largest livestock market. There’s an old blues song by Big Joe Williams about an Omaha intersection that’s now on the National Register, and Irish Nationalists erected a grand monument to the Fenian who invaded Canada twice. Anyone in Omaha can take a gander at Goose Hollow or visit a haven for herons, but now author and Omaha enthusiast Ryan Roenfeld takes you on your own behind-the-scenes tour of the Big O. With his book as your guide, you’ll discover a whole new side to the city that’s inspired him for years.

100 Things to Do in Gary and Northwest Indiana Before You Die

100 Things to Do in Gary and Northwest Indiana Before You Die PDF

Author: Joseph S. Pete

Publisher: Reedy Press LLC

Published: 2020-09-15

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 1681062690

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The sweeping sandhills, expansive beaches and endless horizon of Lake Michigan draw countless visitors to the Indiana Dunes National Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park, two of the Hoosier State’s top attractions. But there’s more to Gary and Northwest Indiana than just the “salt-free” beaches where many Midwesterners soak in the sun. 100 Things to Do in Gary and Northwest Indiana Before You Die is packed with insider tips for delicious dining, stimulating arts and culture, outdoor adventures, and one-of-a-kind shopping in the Calumet Region. Tackle the 3-Dune Challenge or try your luck at one of the many casinos. Explore the National Mascot Hall of Fame and find hidden gems like fine arts galleries and the best farmers markets. Save room for sampling local delicacies like lemon rice soup or lake perch—then wash it all down with the elusive Zombie Dust beer. Local author Joseph S. Pete takes visitors and locals alike on this detail-rich journey through the Region. Let his energized ideas fuel your imagination for your next visit to Northwest Indiana.

Oddball Illinois

Oddball Illinois PDF

Author: Jerome Pohlen

Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Published: 2012-05-01

Total Pages: 338

ISBN-13: 1613740352

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In this updated edition, it's plain to see that the state of Illinois has only gotten weirder. Where there was once just a single Popeye statue in downstate Chester, today the town has monuments to Olive Oyl, Swee' Pea, Bluto, the Sea Hag, and more. The creepy Piasa Bird petroglyph on the bluff in Alton now has a roadside pullout with picnic tables, and the two-story outhouse in Gays has a new contemplative garden. With almost twice as many destinations as its predecessor, this edition boasts detailed information on each site—address, phone number, website, hours, entry fees, and driving directions—as well as maps, photos, and a wealth of regional history in the descriptions. Some new sites include Henry's Rabbit Ranch, the World's First Jungle Gym, Ahlgrim Acres (a miniature golf course at a funeral home), the Leather Archives and Museum, General Santa Ana's two wooden legs, the World's Largest Sock Monkey, the Friendship Shoe Fence, a truck stop with a marionette show, and a coin-operated fire-breathing dragon. There is more between Chicago and St. Louis than cornfields and plenty of fascinating places in the Windy City that aren't on Michigan Avenue, and here is a chance to see these underappreciated sites throughout the state.

A Guide to the Knobstone Trail

A Guide to the Knobstone Trail PDF

Author: Nathan D. Strange

Publisher: Indiana University Press

Published: 2011-04-01

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 0253005000

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One of the most beautiful footpaths in the country, the Knobstone Trail offers a spectacularly rugged, 58-mile trek through 40,000 acres of forested land in southern Indiana. A comprehensive guide to this scenic footpath, A Guide to the Knobstone Trail provides readers with all they need to know to make the best of hiking this challenging trail. Charts indicate camping and water locations, while up-to-date maps provide topographical information, elevations, and where horse trails intersect hiking trails. First-person accounts, trip diaries, local lore about trees, wildflowers, and animal life, plus the latest GPS information and elevation data are included. Well illustrated with more than 60 photographs and 19 maps, this easily portable guide is an essential backpacker's tool for a safe and memorable adventure.

Weird Ohio

Weird Ohio PDF

Author: James A. Willis

Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 9781402733826

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Ah, Ohio, so nice and normal. We have apple pie heroes like Hopalong Cassidy, Neil Armstrong, Thomas Edison, and Doris Day. Our state bird is the jaunty and ever popular cardinal, and our state flower is the carnation, found in the buttonholes of politicians and bridegrooms everywhere. We started America rolling by opening the country's first gas station, and we have a museum dedicated to America's music, rock and roll. Why, we're just so all-American normal, it can bring a tear to the eye. But there's something else we have a whole lot of, and that's...weirdness. Yes, the Buckeye State has lots and lots of strange people and unusual sites, and they burst forth from every page of this, the biggest, most bizarre collection of Ohio stories ever assembled: Weird Ohio.